Well, she will be 81 years old on election day 2012 so retirement is always a possibility.

But, when I talk to Dem strategists about who they worry about in terms of retirements, DiFi isn't regularly mentioned.

If she did retire, I think it would be a crowded race to replace her. My guess is that a few House members -- Loretta Sanchez etc -- would look at running. Maybe someone like Gavin Newsom, who is going to be the LG?

For Republicans, it's hard to know. After Carly Fiorina's loss, I am skeptical loss that any GOPer can win statewide in Cali these days.

But man would that be a race . It's been almost two decades since we had an open seat Senate race in California.

I noticed in your predictions of vulnerable Democratic senators in 2012 includes him. I am trying to figure out how he could lose. Hoeven is now a senator and Berg most likely won't try to make the jump after only one term in the house. Who does that leave?

A: Chris Cillizza

I think Conrad looks strong right now -- no question.

But so did North Dakota Rep. Earl Pomeroy at this point in the last election too.

North Dakota is a Republican state and in a Republican year -- like 2010 clearly was -- Conrad could be imperiled.

Generally agree with you on the weakness of the GOP field but, again, the 2010 cycle taught me that sometimes that people we have never heard of can be good candidates. (Prime example: Ron Johnson in Wisconsin.)

Has Webb laid down any sort of timeline for when he'll make the decision on a 2nd term?

A: Chris Cillizza

No.

But, EVERY signal he is sending seems to suggest he won't run again.

Now, Webb isn't a traditional politician -- to put it mildly -- so he could well announce today that he is running again.

But, Democrats aren't optimistic about it. If he does decide not to run, he'd be better off making that announcement sooner rather than later to give the party time to find someone good to replace him.

Concur about looking to the state house since those folks tend to be more conservative then the federal delegation. Actually the local newspaper did an interview with U.S. Rep. Dent. While he didn't outright decline to run for the Republican nod, he didn't to into the idea either.

A: Chris Cillizza

Dent could be good...in this political climate, I think your ideal nominee (of either party) is a wealthy person without a voting record.

So weird that Jim Webb is only 4 years into his first-time since he seems like he's been in the U.S. Senate for ages. Certainly longer then the other members of 2006 class.
But how come he's looking to retirement?

A: Chris Cillizza

Because he hates raising money and chafes at the way in which the Senate comports itself.

Remember that Webb was drafted into the race by an online petition -- not exactly the prototypical path for a Senator.

The question for Webb is whether he wants to do what it takes -- and that's a lot of fundraising -- to hold a job he may not enjoy all that much to begin with.

I am at home today, on a Mac with Firefox and NOW I see what the Post means when it says the new chats auto-refresh. Boo for my work PC and IE Explorer! You're a Mac guy, right?
To keep it on-topic, I'd like to run for the open Senate seat if Webb decides not to run.

The last couple of years, you haven't f played well against the 2-3 Zone. Of course its hard when your an inferior team to your arch rival. Good luck against the rest of your non-conference schedule, looks like you need it.
Go Orange

A: Chris Cillizza

I. hate. Syracuse.

That said, Carmelo Anthony was the best college player I ever saw in person. Just amazing. He beat G'town by himself.

"Would be fascinating if we had a pro choice R (Ridge) against a pro-life D (Casey) wouldn't it?"
Yes, but not unprecedented. In 1990, pro-choice Republican Barbara Hafer ran for gov. against (and lost to) pro-life Casey Sr. Oh, Pennsylvania...

A: Chris Cillizza

Well done. DO NOT FORGET: Politics and Pints -- our monthly trivia night -- is THIS coming Monday night.

But "may retire" is very different from retiring, right? Virginian Democrats are about to lobby for a job that may not even be open.
Personally I think the blogosphere is over-reading Sen. Webb. I think he is just trying to downplay his own ambitions and say later on, "The good folks of Virginia wanted me to run" or something along those lines.

I see that there will be a Politics & Pints this Monday at Cap Lounge at 7 pm. Just a quick question (which I know has been answered before but I can't seem to find it): Is all of the trivia political? Or are there a round or two of general trivia, too?

A: Chris Cillizza

NO!

Two rounds are political. Three rounds are not!

Come! Did I mention it's Monday night? And did I mention everyone who plays gets one of these: http://ow.ly/i/6fh1

HI Chris,
One more guy looking like he is working hard staring at screen as he reads along with your chat. Sometimes you have those video features that the workers of the world can't watch because they clearly won't pass the faking work test. Is there a way to publish a transcript?

A: Chris Cillizza

ARGH. No.

Apologies. But, I WILL send an email to your boss explaining the edifying nature of the Fast Fix videos.

Is Arsenal's Samir Nasir the best player in the world, or just the best player in England?

A: Chris Cillizza

Messi clearly the best in the world. (Don't forget him because he is in Spain.)

Also, Cristiano Ronaldo also ridiculous.

In EPL, Nasri's goal last week was just amazing. But, still not as good at this volley by Spurs' Gareth Bale, which to me is the most mindblowing thing I have seen in recent memory: http://soccer-portal.org/cat/goal-of-the-day/2713-gareth-bale-goal-v-stoke.html

How much effect does Palin's Hamlet routine have on the rest of the GOP field waiting to announce a run for Prez in 2012? I don't get why some of the lesser known, to the general public, don't try to get a head start with staff, raising money, organizing in early states. Or is this going on behind the scenes and we don't know? And Palin is going to Haiti--- will we next see Mike Pence in the Sudan or Pawlenty in Patagonia?

A: Chris Cillizza

You read my mind. Or my fingers.

I wrote about why some lesser known candidate should already be in the race yesterday: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/eye-on-2012/post-16.html

As for Palin, I think she is THE prime mover in the 2012 race. She acts, other react.

Would Pence be a serious candidate if he ran for president? I mean, I've seen him give a lot of interviews over the years, and I always came away with the impression that the guy was all hat and no cattle, you know.

A: Chris Cillizza

Hard to know until the spotlight shines on him.

What he has going for him is that he's a down the line social and fiscal conservative who can give one heck of a good speech.

What he doesn't: he's a House member who has no proven ability to raise the sort of money you are going to need to run for prez.

Despite his rep as "too liberal," there is one issue that Sherrod Brown always wins on with Ohioans. Trade. He is a near constant critic of NAFTA and other trade deals. Opposition NAFTA runs deep in Ohio and crosses party lines.

Oh great Fix, I thought you might have insight. I love FNL too, but as a woman, I am often sort of struck by how often people (Coach, but others too) talk about what it means to "be a man." In all the school-related things I did (including at my all-girls' high school in the 80s) I don't recall anyone ever telling us what it meant to "be a woman" (except in health class!). Does anyone do that? Does Mrs. Fix do it with her team? And to make this a political question (and get your quota in), did Christina O'Donnell play sports in hugh school?

A: Chris Cillizza

This Doesn't count...this is a "Christina O'Donnell" question!

As for Mrs. Fix, she is the female John Wooden. Or Coach K. Period. End of sentence.

Thanks for joining me. I'll be back next Friday. Same Fix time, same Fix channel.

DO NOT FORGET: Politics and Pints on Monday. Free tumblers for ALL participants. RSVP and let us know you are coming: http://www.facebook.com/cillizza?v=app_2344061033&ref=search#!/event.php?eid=172016872829260&index=1

Have a great weekend.

Chris

In This Chat

Chris Cillizza

Chris Cillizza is the managing editor of PostPolitics and he writes "The Fix," a politics blog for The Washington Post. He also covers the White House for the newspaper and website. Chris has appeared as a guest on NBC, CBS, ABC, MSNBC, Fox News Channel and CNN to talk politics. He lives in Virginia with his wife and son.